Jack Nicklaus' Lesson Tee

I bought this illustrated golf lesson text almost twenty years ago. It was mostly sitting on my book shelf until last September. I became seriously interested in learning how to swing golf clubs at that time and the book I took up was "Jack Nicklaus Lesson Tee". It was originally published in the early 1970s, but its brilliance was timeless. I started golf swing practices from scratch, slowly and carefully followed Jack's lessons, have my body remember each detailed motion as Jack taught me and finished the 150 page lessons using almost a half year. Subsequently I reenforced what I learned in the "Lesson Tee" by reading two more Jack's books, "Golf My Way" and "My Golden Lessons". Very recently I played 18 hole golf for the first time in my 59 year life, and it worked! I hit the driver, fairway woods and irons cleanly and I was the person who first reached the greens in most holes while I was competing with low handicappers in the team. Because I haven't practiced putting and chipping and took 3-4 puttings in each hole, I ended up with somewhere between bogey and double bogey on average. But Jack's lessons worked very well and I admired him. I recently purchased almost all books he wrote and all available videos he and others created about his lessons and his accomplishment. AND all started with "Jack Nicklaus Lesson Tee". It is a hidden gem and a timeless textbook for sound golf lessons.

I am building quite a collection of golf instruction books, but I keep going back to Jack's when I want to cut through the confusion. I am going to order another copy for my twin brother who has recently come back to the game after a 30 year lapse.

Nicklaus has packed a lot of information into relatively little text. All the illustrations in the cartoon format work well for many of the topics, especially for the beginner who hasn't yet swung the clubs much or just enough to realize it aint easy. I read this first then went on to read "Golf My Way", a later Nicklaus book with more text and detail. Note there are a couple things Nicklaus suggests in Lesson Tee that he later changed in his own game.

I bought this book when it first came out years ago... my 10-year old son is taking up the game and I've just ordered another copy for him; mine is dog-eared from years of use and re-use! This easy to read and use set of lessons concentrates on the basics of fundamental golf, in a format that builds on itself. From grip technique, to set up, to addressing the ball, through all the facets of ball-striking and ending with course management tips, you move from one lesson to the next under the tutelage of one of the game's undisputed masters. The compilation of lessons is based on cartoon-type illustrations and accompanying text. The beauty of this book is that it concentrates on basics; just sound, fundamental ideas that still allow the reader to learn why the golf ball does the things it does when struck in different ways. What causes a slice or hook? What causes "topping" or hitting fat? Why should I use different swings when faced with different types of sand in the trap? All these questions and many more are addressed in a clear, easy to read and understand style. You'll never need another instruction book, stick with this one and you'll learn the skills needed to enjoy the game for many years to come.